(Posted September 29, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Science fans can make their own ice cream, or at least watch it being made with liquid nitrogen, plus witness chemistry in action and take in a planetarium show at Juniata College as part of "Science in Motion Demo Night" starting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30 at various locations on the Juniata campus.

The activities are free and open to the public. For information, please call (814) 641-3566 or e-mail sim@juniata.edu.

Activities begin at 6 p.m. on the campus quad with an ice cream social. Members of the Science in Motion staff will use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and will ask onlookers to sample their handiwork.

Also starting at 6, there will be a tie-dye area on the quad where visitors can create wearable art. Participants should bring a washed, white cotton T-shirt. In addition, visitors will get a chance to test their strength and the firmness of their handshake using a hand dynamometer.

Stargazers, astronomers and those just interested in the universe can visit Science in Motion's StarLab planetarium for tours at 6, 6:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. in the lobby of the von Liebig Center for Science. StarLab is a portable planetarium designed to be inflated by a fan or portable pump inside a gymnasium or multipurpose room. StarLab can seat 25 to 35 persons and is outfitted with computers and projectors that can take students through, if not the universe, then an extensive astronomy lesson.

Space is limited in the StarLab, so reservations are recommended. Contact Leslie Leckvarcik, associate director of science outreach, for reservations at (814) 641-3665 or e-mail leckval@juniata.edu.

At 7 p.m., Don Mitchell, professor emeritus of chemistry and the founder of Science in Motion, will demonstrate a variety of chemistry experiments that will entertain and astound onlookers. The chemistry demonstrations will be in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center.

The sponsors for Science in Motion include the Juniata College Chemistry Club, the college's Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Lititz Mutual Insurance Co., D.C. Goodman and Sons Inc., GlaxoSmith Kline, Kish bank and PPG Industries.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.